The housing crisis in Western North Dakota has drawn national attention. Centennial Homes, a modular home dealer, will be attending the 2012 Bakken Housing Summit where community leaders come together with lenders, developers, and other housing professionals to find solutions for the growing housing crisis in the region.

An oil boom in an area of North Dakota called the Bakken Formation has spurred a massive influx of workers and support personnel into the area between Dickinson, ND and Williston, ND. Thousands of oil field workers and their families have placed a huge burden on the already anemic housing supply. Compounding the housing problems are the recent floods in the Minot, ND area. “The situation in the oil patch has caused a perfect storm when it comes to housing. Demands for even basic housing are at an unprecedented level. When you couple the need for affordable housing with the needs of oil companies to house workers, and with those displaced by natural disaster, you can clearly see the need for housing providers and community leaders to come together to work toward solutions. Centennial Homes is equipped to provide housing for every level of need,” said Jason Collins, Director of Business Development for Centennial Homes.

The Bakken Housing Summit Wednesday and Thursday, May 16th and 17th, at the Airport International Inn & Suites at 3601 2nd Avenue West, Williston, North Dakota, begins at 7:00 am each day. Topics discussed range from an economic survey of western North Dakota, opportunities and challenges facing development and construction, presentations by surrounding communities, real estate finance, to a Builder Perspectives Panel which will discuss many of the pressing housing issues facing the region.

Centennial Homes started providing quality, affordable housing in 1969, in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Over the past 43 years they have expanded to eight retail locations in three states. Centennial has model home centers in Bismarck, Dickinson, and Williston, ND. Randy Rempher, Regional Vice President for Centennial Homes said, “We are in a unique position that allows us to be more effective when it comes to bridging the housing gaps in these areas. We have three model home centers perfectly located to provide everything from entry-level housing to high-end luxury homes. I am very excited to sit down with my counterparts in the area and find solutions to the growing need for homes in the Bakken.”